More than six weeks had passed before 19-year-old Jordan Lambert was able to return home last Friday afternoon from Regional Medical Center in Memphis. The Lambert Family shed many tears and prayed many prayers during her long stay.

A Homecoming Party was held in her honor at the Senior Citizens Building in Adamsville last Sunday, where Jordan was greeted by her family, friends, and loved ones. But an unfamiliar guest was present.

Jamie Travis of Shiloh’s Jones Heavy Salvage happened to be traveling the pitch dark highway the night of Jordan’s car accident. This stranger was the very stranger that saved her life.

On June 25, at approximately 2:30 a.m., Travis was traveling on Hwy 142 toward Shiloh when he found Jordan lying in the road near her wrecked 2004 Chevy Cavalier.

“I was on my way to Birmingham, heading up the hill between Shiloh and Three-Way, and I saw the car on my side of the road in the ditch,” said Travis. “I looked up and started dodging car parts, and then I looked up out of the corner of my eye, and I saw her lying face down on the road. I got stopped and called 911.”

Jordan was unconscious and airlifted to The Med in critical condition. The accident ejected Jordan from her car due to no seat belt and caused a number of severe injuries including a broken jaw and pelvis, crushed vertebrae, base skull fracture, collapsed lung, and brain injury.

“Because of my brain injury from the accident,” said Jordan, “I do not remember anything about the day or night of my wreck or even the wreck itself. And all I can remember from after it happened is waking up and finally acting like myself and being in rehab and asking a lot of questions.”

Medical personnel shaved her hair to prevent infection and repaired the head wound. Travis recalled seeing a swollen, lifeless body, and a small gash on the side of her head.

“I had to get another vehicle stopped from running over her,” said Travis, “I’m just glad to see her up walking. When I left from there, the ambulance driver told me, ‘It don’t look good.’ The good Lord just put me there at the right time.”

Jordan did not remember Travis from that night, but his memories had him terrified and concerned.

“I met him for the first time at my welcome home party, and I couldn’t thank him enough,” said Jordan. “I am beyond blessed to still be here. I am blessed more than I ever knew possible. God definitely sent me an angel that night.”

Two days after the accident, she spent her birthday in The Med and many people gathered at the hometown park to pray. Jordan opened her eyes that night and ever since the progression increased.

Slowly, she gained movement in her toes and hands. Then, she responded to a nurse by giving a ‘thumbs up’ and started to breathe on her own. Day by day the young lady worked hard and never gave up.

“I finally remembered who my parents were,” said Jordan. “I had someone at the hospital with me at all times. I got all my comfort and strength from knowing they were right there with me. They helped me get around and did things for me that I couldn’t do myself.”

Jordan still has more work to do before she is 100 percent again. She has not gained all of her memory and she must wear back braces.

“I have to go to physical, occupational, and speech therapy twice a week,” she explained. “I can’t go back to work or school yet, because of my injuries, and I have to keep going to therapy. Once I get my braces off and released from my doctors, I’ll get to start back to work, and I’ll go back to school next semester.”

It amazed Jordan and other members of the Lambert Family how much everyone did to support them during this time. Many prayers went to the family and chores were done while they were away, such as lawn mowing and cleaning. Even hospital visitors would bring outside food.

“I wouldn’t be here today without the love and support from God, my family, and all my friends,” said Jordan. “I am blessed beyond belief because of what they have done for me. It’s just amazing, and I feel so loved.”

The accident has only made Jordan stronger and she hopes that her story will make a big impact on someone else’s life or will help them cherish each moment and be grateful.

“I give all the credit and glory to God,” said Jordan. “It’s made me realize that life is a gift. You have been blessed because it can be gone in a blink of an eye.”

She sat down for a short break after arriving, but the former athlete was so excited to be home and to see everyone that she stood on her feet with braces wrapped around her torso and responded to each person until the event came to a close.